Bib or apron for dentists&#39; use and the like



Auge y n VV. BLM

BIB OR APRON FOR DENTISTS Filed April 25. 3.923

USE AND THE LIKE Patented ug. 26, 1924.

4UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM 0. BLOOM, OF BOYLSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

BIB OR APRON FOR-DEN'IISTS USE AND THE LIKE.

Application led April 25, 1923. Serial No. 634,616.

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, WILLIAM O. BLooM, a citizen of the United States,residing at Boylston, in the county of IVorcester and State ofMassachusetts, have invented a new and useful Bib or Apronfor DentistsUse and the like, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a device for use by dentists, physicians andnurses to protect patients during dental work or minor operations on theface and mouth, but it is capable of general use and can be used as atable bib or napkin for children and individuals.

The principal objects of the invention are to provide a device of thischaracter of paper so that it can be made at extremely low expense andneed not be used but once, and while keeping this object in mind, toprovide means for connecting it around the neck of the patient or otherperson using it; also to provide the latter means in an extreinelysimple and inexpensive form so that it will be sufficiently durable foruse once and will be easily applied and not require tying or anyexpensive fastening means. Other vobjects and advantages of theinvention will appear hereinafter.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, in which- Fig. 1 isa view of a bib orapron constructed in accordance with this inventionland shown in the position it assumes when in use;

Fig. 2 is a view of the upper part of the same in the process ofmanufacture;

Fig. 3 is a similar view showing an additional step in the process ofmanufacture;

Fig. 4 is a similar view showing the article completed and ini a fiatstate;

Fig. 5 is a view showing a slight modification; and

Fig, 6 is a similar view showing a further modification.

In the form shown in the first four figures the main part of the deviceconsists of a bib, apron, or napkin 10 preferably of crpe paper or otherpaper used ordinarily for napkins, towels or the like. This is formedpreferably of rectangularshape, although the bottom of it can be of anydesired form. Preferably it is straight across the top. Near the upperedge, and parallel with it, is placed avery fine soft, easily bendablewire 11 which extends substantially from one side edge to the other. Thesurface'of the paper above this wire, or the surface below it through anequal area, is covered with paste and the part 12- extending above thewire is turned down against the paper below the wire to fold the wire inat the edge of the fold and to form a double thickness with 'the flap 12extending downwardly from the edges of the slits and leaves two tonguesor straps 14 at opposite ends of the'top of the article extendingoppositely from the center and with it forming a collar. These twotongues, as well as the space between them, being provided with the wire11, can be turnedor bent around as indicated in Fig..

1. In other words the upper part can be used as a fastening means andplaced around the neck of the patient or child who is to use the device.The ends at 15 are then bent over around each other or twisted togetherto form a fastening means. The soft wire permits this to be done easilyand effectively.

In this way it will be seen that this upper portion comprising thestraps 14 forms a continuous band or collar which is not onlystrengthened by the wire, but is held thereby in any desired position inwhich Yit may be bent. This collaralso is in a plane at right angles tothe plane of the main body of the bib. Therefore it can be placed aroundthe neck of the wearer and the ends bent over at 15 as indicated, so asto hold it there as long as it is to be worn. Furthermore it will beseen that' not/only is the strap 14 reinforced through its area but theupper edges of the bib after this strap is bent back are also reinforcedin the same way.

The articles can be manufactured in large quantities and sold at verysmall expense so that a large number of them can be kept in stock bydentists, physicians or nurses, and each one used once in the mannerindicated. This does away with laundering,-

the cost of the article itself being less than the cost of laundering anordinary cloth apron or bib used for such purposes and in many instancesless than the depreciation. It is neat and is always in condition foruse. It is easily applied and contains no piece of metal that can comedirectly in contact with the person. It is not complicated in any way,and as stated, can be manufactured in its preferred form for a verysmall sum for each article.

In the form shown in 'Fig 5 only one corner of the article is shown, asonly a slight modification is provided. Here the wire 21 extends onlypart way in from the end merely for the purpose of using less wire. Thiswire is located between the top and bottom edges of the strap 24. This Istrap in this case is made by pasting a separate piece of paper on thebib along its upper edge. Otherwise the article is the same as abovedescribed.

In the form shown in Fig. 6 a piece of stiff paper or cardboard 26 takesthe place of the wire and extends preferably throughout the pasted areaas described above. Tt constitutes the only addition to the bib, beingpasted on one side at the top. This is provided with a fastening deviceat its opposite ends. This is shown as a series of perforations 27 inthe ends of one strap for engagement with the tongue 28 at the oppositeend to fasten the two parts together conveniently at the back. Any othershape can be employed involving cooperating parts toJ fasten the endstogether. Most of the advantages above mentioned are secured by thisform also.

Although I have illustrated and described only three forms of theinvention T am aware of the fact thatmany other modifications can bemade therein by any per- `son skilled in the art without departing fromthe scope of the invention as expressed in the claims. Therefore I donot wish to be limited t0 all the details herein shown and described,but what T do claim is 1. As an article of manufacture, a bib or apronfor the purpose described formed from a piece of paper substantiallyrectangular at the top having the top doubled over on itself and pastedto the body of the bib and slit inwardly from its opposite edges withinthe area of the doubled over portion to form two straps separated fromthe body of the paper and adapted to pass around the neck of the wearer,these straps having means by which they can be con-V nected together atthev back, whereby the straps and the upper edge of the bib just belowthe straps near the side edges are reinforced by being formed of do-ublethickness.

2. As an article of manufacture, a bib or apron for the purposedescribed comprising a body of soft paper having a pair of straps at thetop adapted to be passed around the neck of the wearer and fastenedtogether at the back, and a strip of stiiening material extending alongthe same for the purpose described in a single strand substantially tothe two ends of the strap to permit twisting the ends together at anypoint to hold the bib in position.

3. As an article of manufacture, a bib or apron for the purposedescribed comprising a body of paper having a pair of straps at the topof double thickness throughout its area and adapted to be passed aroundthe neck of the wearer and fastened together at the back, and a strip 0fbendable stiiiening material inserted between the two layers thereoflengthwise for the purpose described, the eXtreme ends of the strapsbeing adapted to be twisted together thereby bending the stieningmaterial for holding the article in place.

4. As an article of manufacture, a paper protecting device having itstop doubled over downwardly throughout its width and having two slitsnear the upper edge of theA article and above the lower edge of thedoubled over portion providing two straps, the said slits being cut fromthe two edges adjacent the upper 'edge inwardly along a linesubstantially parallel to the upper edge and a soft wire reinforcementin said straps, whereby they can be bent around each other to securethearticle in place and will remain in that position.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto aiiixed my signature.

wmLrAM o. BLooM.`

